At the Summit in Qatar, Mirziyoyev Highlights Uzbekistan’s Reduction of Poverty from 35% to 6.6%

Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) — On 4 November, President of the Republic of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev participated in the Second World Summit on Social Development held in Doha.

The forum was attended by UN Secretary-General António Guterres, the Emir of Qatar Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, President of the UN General Assembly Annalena Baerbock, President of the UN Economic and Social Council Lok Bahadur Thapa, heads of states and governments, and representatives of international and regional organizations.

At the beginning of his speech, the President of Uzbekistan thanked the summit organizers for the high level of preparation and emphasized the symbolic significance of holding the forum in Doha. He noted that Qatar has recently become a global center for social inclusivity and dynamic progress, congratulating the people of the country on their achievements.

The head of state stressed that the international community and national governments are joining efforts to ensure social welfare and improve the population’s quality of life.

In recent years, Uzbekistan has implemented large-scale measures to build a social state, where the fundamental principle is the protection of the dignity of every person, ensuring social justice and support for those in need. The President noted that the poverty rate in the country has been reduced from 35% to 6.6% and emphasized the commitment to continue reforms in this area.

During his address, Shavkat Mirziyoyev presented a number of initiatives aimed at strengthening global social justice and sustainable development. He paid particular attention to the need to create a new financial architecture for poverty reduction to mobilize resources for social programs in developing countries. In this regard, the President proposed the establishment of a Global Social Justice Fund to provide practical support in reducing poverty and social inequality.

The head of state also highlighted contemporary employment challenges linked to the development of high technologies and artificial intelligence, which are leading to a reduction in available jobs. He stressed the importance of active collaboration between the state, business, and society to support workers and strengthen social partnership principles, expressing hope for support of the initiative to establish a “Global Initiative on Social Responsibility and Decent Work.”

Another key area, according to the President, is expanding access to education for all. He noted that annual economic losses due to illiteracy amount to $1.4 trillion, while insufficient education exacerbates social inequality and makes it harder for young people to find their place in society and the labor market. Mirziyoyev reaffirmed support for the decisions of the first session of the Global Alliance for Fighting Hunger and Poverty and proposed holding one of the Alliance’s future summits in Uzbekistan with education as the main theme.

Special attention was also given to the protection of migrant workers and their families. Uzbekistan is ready, in cooperation with the International Labour Organization and the International Organization for Migration, to host an international forum in Tashkent on the social and legal protection of migrants and to adopt a global program in this area.

The President also emphasized that climate change increasingly affects social life, particularly vulnerable groups, and called for the integration of climate action measures with employment programs. In particular, he announced the launch of a new socio-economic development model in the Aral Sea region, designated by the UN as a zone of ecological innovation and technology, and expressed readiness to share this experience with the international community.

In conclusion, Shavkat Mirziyoyev expressed confidence that the summit’s decisions would bring hope to millions of people, contribute to stability and prosperity, and help ensure a decent standard of living for every individual.

The President confirmed full support for the Doha Political Declaration and Uzbekistan’s readiness to implement its principles in practice.